Compact closed via a magnet with a concentrated magnetic field

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a compact for a cosmetic product that includes a base; a lid, fitted movably to the base; a container disposed in the base that is suitable for containing a cosmetic product. The base or the lid includes a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnetic element fixed to the lid or to the base opposite the magnet in order to effect the closure of the compact. Of note, the compact includes at least one component with high magnetic permeability defining with the magnet a magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magnetic field of the magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed opposite the magnetic element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to FrenchPatent Application Serial Number 1261068, filed Nov. 21, 2012, entitled“COMPACT CLOSED VIA A MAGNET WITH A CONCENTRATED MAGNETIC FIELD”, theentire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of containers for cosmeticproducts, and more specifically the field of compacts.

2. Description of the Related Art

Containers for cosmetic products such as powders are transported, andmust therefore be capable of being maintained in a closed position inorder to protect the product that they contain. In the past, differentsolutions have been proposed to overcome this problem. A first type ofsolution consists of adding a mechanical locking means such as a hook onthe lid or the base of the container, which will cooperate with acomplementary means disposed on the base or the lid of the container.However, these solutions are not very popular because of the appearanceof such mechanical means, which are visible as soon as the container isopen and are not aesthetically pleasing, the aesthetic criterion beingone of the main factors in the appeal of such products.

A second type of solution consists of using a neodymium-type magnet inone of the parts of the container (lid or base), which will thuscooperate with a metal component of the other part of the container inorder to close said container. These solutions thus enable the closuremeans to be concealed by incorporating them into the structure of thecontainer so that they are not visible to the user, or at least so thatthey do not project from the container once said container is open.However, the manufacture of such neodymium magnets requires rare earths,supplies of which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and thecost of which is therefore increasing significantly, in addition to theproblem posed by a risk of interruption in supply.

To date, only neodymium magnets have sufficient magnetic force toperform this function. There is thus a need to find a means for closingsuch containers and maintaining them in a closed position, whileretaining an appearance that is attractive to users.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a compact for a cosmetic product thatincludes a base; a lid, fitted movably to the base; a container disposedin the base that is suitable for containing a cosmetic product. The baseor the lid includes a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magneticelement fixed to the lid or to the base opposite the magnet in order toeffect the closure of the compact. Of note, the compact includes atleast one component with high magnetic permeability defining with themagnet a magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magneticfield of the magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposedopposite the magnetic element.

As a variant, said compact may have one or more than one of thefollowing features, taken separately or in combination:

-   -   the component is in contact with the magnet;    -   the magnet is a ferrite magnet;    -   the component is a metal plate;

the magnet is partially surrounded by the metal plate or plates;

the magnet is disposed in the base, the base including in addition ametal support formed by an extension of one of the metal platespartially surrounding the magnet, and the metal support forming asupport for the container in the base so that the residual magneticfield of the magnet maintains the container in position in the base;

-   -   the face of the magnetic system disposed opposite the magnetic        element of the lid is covered by a film made of a plastics        material;    -   the base includes magnetic systems disposed opposite magnetic        elements fixed to the lid;    -   the metal plates with high magnetic permeability are made of        mild steel or mu metal;    -   the mild steel is one of the following types of steel: A37, A42,        A52, A50, A60, A70;    -   the magnet, in particular of ferrite, is disposed in an internal        housing of the base, and is in contact with a metal plate with        high magnetic permeability disposed so that it is flush with the        surface of the base in order to be opposite the magnetic        element;    -   the compact comprises a plurality of magnets, in particular of        ferrite, disposed in its base, said magnets being disposed so        that their orientation is the same and they are separated from        one another by a metal plate.

According to another variant, the base includes two sub-assemblies eachincluding at least one magnet, in particular of ferrite, at leastpartially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability,the sub-assemblies being configured so as to be capable of alternatingbetween:

-   -   an active configuration in which the two sub-assemblies are not        connected;    -   a neutral configuration in which the two sub-assemblies are in        contact in such a way as to cancel the magnetic field resulting        from the magnets of the sub-assemblies.

According to a particular embodiment of this variant, at least one ofthe sub-assemblies is movably fitted in the base and associated with apush-button in such a way as to allow movement between the activeconfiguration and the neutral configuration. The lid is typically fittedpivotably on the base via a hinge or via slides.

According to another variant, the compact includes a secondary basefitted movably on the base via slides allowing the secondary base toslide on the base or via hinges allowing a rotation relative to thebase, the secondary base including a secondary container suitable forcontaining a cosmetic product and includes a magnetic element suitablefor cooperating with the magnet or magnets, in particular of ferrite, ofthe base. The at least one magnet, in particular of ferrite, istypically of generally parallelepipedic shape, and said at least onemetal plate extends so as to cover a single face of the at least onemagnet, or so as to cover two opposed faces of the at least one magnet.

Advantageously, the magnetic element includes a magnetic strip intendedto come into a position opposite the magnetic system. In other words,the magnetic element does not include a magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, aims and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the description that follows, which is given purely as anillustration and is non-restrictive, and which should be read withreference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a container for a cosmeticproduct or compact according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 5 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of theinvention;

FIGS. 7 to 10 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of theinvention;

FIGS. 12 to 14 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of theinvention;

FIGS. 16 to 18 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a container for a cosmeticproduct or compact according to a first embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 2 to 5 show different views detailing the structure of thisembodiment. FIG. 2 is a view in cross-section in a plane perpendicularto the axis of the hinge 4, and defines, in particular, a plane ofcross-section A-A. FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of the compact inthis plane of cross-section A-A.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the compact shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5is a detailed view of the arrangement of the magnets, in particular offerrite, which will be described later.

The compact 1 as shown comprises a base 2, a lid 3 connected to the base2 by a hinge 4 so that it can be open while remaining joined to the base2. The lid 3 is typically provided with a minor.

A container 5 is disposed in the base 2, this container 5 being forexample a pot suitable for containing a cosmetic product such asmake-up.

The base 2 and the lid 3 comprise complementary locking means, 6 and 7respectively, that enable the compact 1 to be maintained in a closedconfiguration in the absence of an action by the user on the lid 3 or onthe base 2.

The locking means 6 and 7 according to the present invention compriseone or more magnets, in particular of ferrite, disposed in the base 2 orin the lid 3, in this case two ferrite magnets, associated with amagnetic element, in this case a metal insert disposed in the lid 3 orin the base 2 so that the magnetic action of the magnet on the magneticmetal element acts to close the lid 3 on the base 2.

In the embodiment shown, the ferrite magnet constitutes the lockingmeans 6 of the base 2, whereas the magnetic element forms thecomplementary locking means 7 of the lid 3, it being understood that theopposite configuration is possible.

This magnetic metal element forming the complementary locking means 7can be formed by an insert of a suitable material, or directly by thelid 3 or the base 2.

In order to ensure that sufficient force is exerted by the magneticfield of the magnetic system, said magnetic system is partiallysurrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability thus forminga magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magnetic field ofthe magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed oppositesaid metal insert of the lid.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the magnet 6 is for example of generallyparallelepipedic shape, of which two faces 61 and 62 are surrounded bymetal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64.

This configuration makes it possible to concentrate the magnetic fieldemitted by the magnet 6, and thus the force of attraction that resultstherefrom on the free faces of the magnetic system, one of which, inthis case the upper free face 65, is configured so that it cooperateswith the magnetic insert 7 in order to act to close the lid 3 on thebase 2.

In the embodiment shown, a layer of material 8, typically a plasticsmaterial, is disposed so that it covers the upper free face 65 of themagnet 6 intended to cooperate with the magnetic insert 7. This layer ofmaterial 8 thus forms a film made of a plastics material over the upperfree face 65 of the magnetic system.

In addition, the base 2 covers and completely conceals the magnet 6 andthe metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64, so that theycannot be seen by a user. Thus, the presence of a magnet is hidden, andthe compact is given the desired appearance.

This is because a magnet is particularly difficult to colour, and havinga magnet face that is not covered will adversely affect the aestheticappeal of the compact.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, one of the metal plates with highmagnetic permeability covering one of the faces of the magnet 6, in thiscase the plate 63 covering the face 61 of the magnet 6, extends so thatit runs substantially along the bottom of the base 2. In this particularembodiment, the assembly formed by the magnet 6 and the metal plateswith high magnetic permeability partially surrounding it is disposed inthe base 2 of the compact 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the magnet 6 has agenerally parallelepipedic shape, the plate 63 comprises a first portion66 that is substantially vertical, covering the face 61 of the magnet 6,and a second portion 67 that is substantially horizontal, extending fromthe lower part of the first portion 66.

This second portion 67 forms a support for the container 5 in the base 2of the compact 1, and will thus maintain it in the base 2 because of theresidual magnetic field of the magnet 6.

Because the portion 66 is placed alongside the magnet 6, it receives andpartially transmits the magnetic field that it generates. As the secondportion 67 is an extension of the first portion 66, the magnetic effectof the magnet 6 is propagated in this second portion 67, which thereforeitself emits a residual magnetic field.

By making the receptacle 5 from magnetic material, or by incorporatinginserts of magnetic material into it, said receptacle is thus maintainedin position in the base 2 of the compact 1 by virtue of the residualmagnetic field of the second portion 67.

The portion 67 that extends so that it serves as a support for thereceptacle 5 can be sized so that it extends over all or part of thereceptacle 5.

The metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64 are typicallymade of mild steel or mu metal.

The term ‘mild steel’ means a steel with a carbon content included inthe range between 0.10% and 0.20%, such as the variant steels well knownby the following names: E24 (or A37), E26 (or A42), E30 (or A47), E36(or A52), A50, A60, A70, etc.

The term ‘mu metal’ means an alloy of nickel, iron and molybdenum,numerous variants of such an alloy being possible depending on therespective percentages of these elements that make up the alloy.

Mild steel is particularly advantageous in terms of cost compared to mumetal and other steels, of the magnetic stainless type, and enablessimilar effects to be obtained over the magnetic field produced by themagnet.

Different variants are possible, depending on the shape of the compact1, the shape of the magnet 6 and the configuration of the metal plateswith high magnetic permeability that partially surround it.

For example, the metal plates with high magnetic permeability cansurround all the faces of the magnet 6, except for the face of themagnet intended to be positioned facing the metal insert 7 with whichthe magnet 6 is suitable for cooperating.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show different views of a particular embodiment, theseviews being similar to the views shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Thus, FIG. 6 shows an overall view of a compact according to an aspectof the invention, FIG. 7 shows a view of the compact in cross- sectionin a plane perpendicular to its hinge, and defines a plane ofcross-section A-A used as the plane of cross-section in FIG. 8. FIG. 9shows a view of the compact from above, and FIG. 10 shows a detailedview of the locking elements.

The locking elements here comprise a single magnet 6. It will be readilyunderstood that a configuration with a plurality of magnets, similar tothe variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, is also possible.

In this particular embodiment, one of the metal plates with highmagnetic permeability 63 and 64, in this case the metal plate 63, isdisposed so that it is flush with the surface of the base in order to beopposite the magnetic element 7 and thus be capable of being placed indirect contact therewith.

Thus, only a thin slice of at least one of the metal plates with highmagnetic permeability 63 and/or 64 is visible to the user, which greatlyrestricts the visual impact of the magnetic closure system of thecompact.

In addition, metal plates 63 and/or 64 of this kind can be painted orcoloured more easily than a magnet, thus helping to achieve an overallappearance that is attractive to the user.

According to another variant, not shown, the lower face of the magnet 6,in other words, the face of the magnet 6 opposite the upper face 65intended to face the means 7 of the lid 3 in order to close the compact1, is also covered by a layer of metal material with high magneticpermeability similar to the material surrounding the other faces of themagnet 6.

Other variations of shape and arrangement are of course possible.

The magnetic system formed by the magnet 6 and the metal plates withhigh magnetic permeability 63 and 64 surrounding it may, for example,extend over all or part of the periphery of the base 2 or the lid 3, thelid 3 or the base 2 then comprising suitable complementary means 7.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show different views of another embodiment in which thecompact 1 is of a generally circular shape and is provided with lockingmeans similar to those shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to10, the shape of the magnet 6 and of the metal plates with high magneticpermeability surrounding it then being advantageously adapted, forexample so as to follow the curvature of the compact.

FIG. 11 shows an overall view of the compact according to thisembodiment. FIG. 12 shows a view in cross-section in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the hinge, and defines a plane ofcross-section A-A, which is used to produce a view in cross-section ofthe compact 1 that is shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a detailed view ofthe arrangement of the ferrite magnets which will be described later.

It will be noted at this point that the magnet 6 is substantiallycylindrical in shape, and extends over the entire periphery of the base2.

The invention can, of course, be applied to compacts of other shapes, inparticular elliptical or parallelepipedic shapes.

The base may also comprise a plurality of magnetic systems, each onemade up of a magnet partially surrounded by metal plates with highmagnetic permeability, distributed in the base 2 or in the lid 3 of thecompact 1.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show different views of another embodiment of the compactaccording to an aspect of the invention. FIG. 15 shows an overall view,FIG. 16 shows a view in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to theaxis of the hinge 4 and defining a plane of cross-section A-A used asthe plane of cross-section in FIG. 17, while FIG. 18 is a detailed viewof the arrangement of the ferrite magnets.

In this particular embodiment, the compact 1 comprises a secondary base20 movably fitted to the base 2, for example using slides that enablethis secondary base 20 to slide on the base 2.

The secondary base 20 comprises a secondary container 25 suitable forcontaining a cosmetic product in the same way as the container 5disposed in the base 2.

The secondary base 20 comprises a secondary magnetic element 27 suitablefor cooperating with the magnetic system or systems of the base 2comprising one or more ferrite magnets, in this case via the metal plate63 which is flush with the lower face of the base 2, so that it isopposite this secondary magnetic element 27 when the secondary base 20is in a given configuration.

According to another variant, not shown, the base 2 comprises twosub-assemblies each comprising at least one ferrite magnet at leastpartially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63and 64, said sub-assemblies being configured so that they are able toalternate between:

-   -   an active configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are not        connected;    -   a neutral configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are in        contact in such a way as to cancel the magnetic field produced        by said magnets 6 of the sub-assemblies.

Thus, by moving one or both sub-assemblies, the user can regulate themagnetic field, and control the opening of the compact.

These sub-assemblies are for example positioned in the base 2 of acompact 1, in configurations similar to the configurations of themagnets 6 and associated plates 63 and 64 shown in the drawingsexplained above.

At least one of said sub-assemblies is thus fitted movably in said baseand is typically associated with a push-button so as to allow movementbetween the active configuration and the neutral configuration.

The dimensions and positioning of the ferrite magnets 6 and of theassociated metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64 mayvary. The plates 63 and 64 may thus be adapted to the dimensions of theassociated magnet or magnets 6, or may be of larger dimensions, theassociated magnet or magnets 6 then being capable of being placed in aplurality of configurations between the plates 63 and 64.

A plurality of magnets, typically identical, can also be used andconnected in series. There is thus produced an assembly in which a metalplate with high magnetic permeability alternates with a magnet, themagnets all being arranged with the same orientation so that theirfields are added to one another.

The compact as shown thus makes it possible to protect the cosmeticproduct that it is designed to contain via the means that are intendedto close it and thus prevent it from opening accidentally, whileretaining an attractive aesthetic appearance, and without requiring theuse of rare earths.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact for a cosmetic product comprising: abase; a lid, fitted movably to said base; a container disposed in saidbase, suitable for containing a cosmetic product; said base or said lidcomprising a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnetic elementfixed to the lid or the base opposite said magnet in order to effect theclosure of the compact, and, at least one component with high magneticpermeability defining with said magnet a magnetic system concentrating amagnetic field of said magnetic system on a face of the magnetic systemdisposed opposite said magnetic element.
 2. The compact according toclaim 1, in which said magnet is a ferrite magnet.
 3. The compactaccording to claim 1, in which said component is a metal plate.
 4. Thecompact according to claim 3, in which said magnet is partiallysurrounded by said metal plate or plates.
 5. The compact according toclaim 4, in which said magnet is of generally parallelepipedic shape,and said at least one metal plate extends so as to cover a single faceof said magnet.
 6. The compact according to claim 4, in which saidmagnet is of generally parallelepipedic shape, and said at least onemetal plate extends so as to cover two opposed faces of said magnet. 7.The compact according to claim 4, wherein said magnet is disposed in thebase, said base further comprising a metal support formed by anextension of one of said metal plates partially surrounding the magnet,said metal support forming a support for the container in the base sothat the residual magnetic field of the magnet maintains said containerin position in the base.
 8. The compact according to claim 1, whereinsaid face of the magnetic system disposed opposite said magnetic elementof the lid is covered by a film made of a plastics material.
 9. Thecompact according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality ofmagnetic systems disposed opposite magnetic elements fixed to the lid.10. The compact according to claim 1, wherein said magnet is disposed inan internal housing of said base, and is in contact with a metal platewith high magnetic permeability disposed so that the magnet is flushwith the surface of said base in order to be opposite the magneticelement.
 11. The compact according to claim 1, comprising a plurality ofmagnets disposed in its base, said magnets being disposed so that theorientation of the magnets is the same and the magnets are separatedfrom one another by a metal plate.
 12. The compact according to claim 1,wherein the base comprises two sub-assemblies each comprising at leastone magnet at least partially surrounded by metal plates with highmagnetic permeability, said sub-assemblies being configured so as to becapable of alternating between: an active configuration in which saidtwo sub-assemblies are not connected; and, a neutral configuration inwhich said two sub-assemblies are in contact so as to cancel a magneticfield resulting from said magnets of the sub-assemblies.
 13. The compactaccording to claim 12, wherein at least one of said sub-assemblies ismovably fitted in said base and associated with a push-button in such away as to allow movement between the active configuration and theneutral configuration.
 14. The compact according to claim 1, comprisinga secondary base fitted movably on said base via slides allowing thesecondary base to slide on the base or via hinges allowing a rotationrelative to the base, said secondary base comprising a secondarycontainer adapted to contain a cosmetic product and comprising amagnetic element adapted to cooperate with the magnet or magnets of thebase.
 15. The compact according to claim 1, wherein said magneticelement comprises a magnetic strip configured for placement into aposition opposite said magnetic system.